“Loving a person does not mean
accepting all their behaviors. The Church does not condemn
individuals for having same-sex attraction. Persons who struggle
with same-sex attraction must be loved with respect, compassion, and
sensitivity. At the same time, the Catholic faith teaches that all
people are called to responsibility regarding sexuality – whether
they are homosexual or heterosexual, priest or lay person. Part of
the responsibility means understanding that sex is to be reserved for
marriage, and that marriage between a man and a woman is the only
kind of union from which children can come.”

“We encourage Catholics and all
people of faith to pray that our culture will grow in the love of
God, and that our actions and laws will respect the laws of nature
and its creator,” the archdiocese added.